This volume has been significantly expanded to cover
the new important, growing areas. In addition to a
chapter on evaluation that was included in the previous
volume, we have added three new chapters dealing with
the role of the primary care physician (Chap. 2), the

impact of cultural influences (Chap. 3), and the stigma-
tization of obesity as reflected in bias, prejudice, and

discrimination (Chap. 4).
We have also expanded the section on prevention. In
addition to the initial chapter on prevention (Chap. 5),
we have added a new chapter on environments that

produce obesity (Chap. 6) and a new chapter on pre-
vention and management of dyslipidemias (Chap. 7).

The section on treatment includes the largest number

of new chapters, with new chapters on sympathomi-
metic drugs (Chap. 12), drugs affecting fat absorption

(Chap. 13), a chapter on leptin (Chap. 14), and one on
the new drugs on the horizon (Chap. 15). The chapter on
surgical approach to obesity focuses on the data derived
from the Swedish Obese Subjects Study (Chap. 18).
Finally, we have added a new chapter on herbal and
alternative approaches to obesity (Chap. 17).